E244 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 1, 2006 actively involved in philanthropy and charitable COMMENDING THE PEACE CORPS Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order work. Their generosity has helped countless ON ITS 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9066 authorizing the Secretary of War to de- individuals both in their hometown of Grand ITS INCEPTION fine military areas in which ‘‘the right of any Rapids and across Michigan. Institutions such person to enter, remain in or leave shall be as the DeVos Children’s Hospital, the Cook- HON. DAN BURTON subject to whatever restrictions’’ are deemed DeVos Center for Health Sciences, and the OF INDIANA ‘‘necessary or desirable.’’ DeVos Campus of Grand Valley State Univer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES By the spring of 1942, , Oregon, sity bear witness to their commitment to give Washington, and Arizona were designated as Wednesday, March 1, 2006 back to the community. military areas. Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I In May of 1942, Santa Clara Valley Japa- Richard DeVos has also written three books would like to take this opportunity to commend nese Americans were ordered to ‘‘close their that have inspired innovative and entrepre- and congratulate the Peace Corps, and its affairs promptly, and make their own arrange- neurial spirits in younger generations. After many volunteers, on the 45th Anniversary of ments for disposal of personal and real prop- undergoing a heart transplant in 1997, Mr. its inception. During a 1960 visit to the Univer- erty.’’ DeVos became the chairman of the Speakers sity of Michigan, then-Senator John F. Ken- Official government fliers were posted Bureau for United Network for Organ Sharing nedy challenged students to not only better around California, Arizona and Washington in- and has worked diligently to deliver his mes- themselves academically, but to serve the call structing families to report to various assembly sage of perseverance and hope. of duty and help promote and facilitate peace centers with just the bare necessities, leaving Today I rise to thank Richard M. DeVos, Sr. throughout the globe. behind their homes, their lives, and most per- for his lifetime of service and dedication to our As a result of this proclamation, the Peace sonal belongings. community, to congratulate him on his many Corps was established with the noble goal in Because permanent camps were not yet accomplishments, and to wish him a happy mind of promoting peace and friendship be- built, large community gathering places, such and healthy birthday. tween the and other countries as the Tanforan Racetrack in San Mateo around the world. If President Kennedy were County in Northern California and the Santa f alive today, he would no doubt look upon the Anita Racetrack in Southern California be- Peace Corps with great pride and admiration came home to Japanese internees for several PAYING TRIBUTE TO A MICHIGAN for what it has evolved in to: a vessel which months before being moved. LEADER, RICHARD DEVOS fosters an in-depth understanding between Bay Area Japanese Ameri- Americans and the indigenous peoples of the cans were forced to live in horse stables at countries in which they serve, helping the rest the Tanforan Racetrack until a permanent HON. MIKE ROGERS of us to better understand a plethora of dif- camp was built for them. ferent customs, traditions and ways of life. Eleven thousand Japanese Americans and OF MICHIGAN Since its founding 45 years ago, more than aliens were evacuated from their homes and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 182,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been incarcerated throughout the duration of the invited by 138 host countries to help countless war. Wednesday, March 1, 2006 individuals who want to build a better life for Three thousand of those interned were Jap- Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I themselves, their children, and their commu- anese Americans from Santa Clara Valley. rise to honor the accomplishments of Richard nities. Whether empowering seemingly help- By the fall of 1942, most internees were DeVos, a Michigan citizen who exemplifies the less people to take control of their own lives, transported to camps far away from home, to American spirit of entrepreneurship and com- assisting with AIDS relief in poverty-stricken internment camps in Arizona, Northern and munity leadership. countries, developing greater business oppor- Central California, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, tunities, expanding agriculture development, and even as far away as Arkansas. As Richard DeVos celebrates his 80th birth- or—most recently—coming to the rescue of Most remained in internment camps until the day, we reflect on his many achievements as their own countrymen whose entire lives were end of the war—3 long years later. the co-founder of Amway Corp. with his life- uprooted by the devastating destruction of The horror for Japanese Americans did not long friend and business partner, the late Jay Hurricane Katrina, these volunteers provide a end upon their return to Santa Clara County in Van Andel, as well as his many selfless con- faithful service to this great Nation, and they 1945 at the end of the war. Upon release, ap- tributions to his state, community, and fellow should be proud of their achievement. And we proximately 7,000 Japanese Americans moved citizens. are certainly proud of each and every volun- to Santa Clara Valley. The author of three books, ‘‘Believe!,’’ teer and what they represent. In fact, from my Most had no shelter, food, money, much ‘‘Compassionate Capitalism,’’ and ‘‘Hope From own district in Indiana, there are currently 20 less a job. My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life,’’ Richard also volunteers who are giving their time to this Some returned to find their homes looted is a public speaker with an international fol- country, away from their families, to help and destroyed. lowing. After receiving a heart transplant in strangers make a better life for themselves, The San Jose Buddhist Church offered what 1997, he took on the additional responsibility and I would personally like to thank my fellow it could—shelter and hot meals for most fami- of serving as chairman for the Speakers Bu- Hoosiers for their commitment. lies. reau for United Network for Organ Sharing. As we all know, the Peace Corps has made In Santa Clara County, the family of Bob life better for millions of people worldwide, and Peckham (later to become Federal District Richard has owned several professional has enriched the lives of the hundreds of thou- Court Judge Bob Peckham) took title to the sports franchises, including the Orlando Magic sands of Americans who have devoted their property of Japanese-American neighbors and of the National Basketball Association. time, energy and passion into answering the was able to preserve property and return it at Richard and his wife, Helen, support many Peace Corps’ call to duty. I would respectfully the end of the internment, so people in our hospitals, colleges and universities, arts orga- encourage my fellow colleagues to congratu- area in some cases were saved the loss of nizations and Christian causes in their home- late, commend, and encourage the continued their homes and businesses. town of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and also nu- advancement and success of the Peace Corps All of this happened before I was born. merous organizations in their adopted commu- and all that its volunteers represent. But I remember very well learning about it nity in Central Florida. f even before it was added to the history text- books. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Richard and REMEMBER INTERNMENT OF My mother was a young woman in 1942. My his wife Helen have raised four children and AMERICANS IN WORLD WAR II dad was in the army and she was building air- have 16 grandchildren. planes at Douglas Aircraft for the war effort. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me HON. ZOE LOFGREN She told me about driving past the Tanforan in honoring Richard DeVos as, on his 80th OF CALIFORNIA Racetrack and how ashamed and guilty she birthday, we acknowledge his life-long vision, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES felt. There were people locked up at the race compassion, and commitment to the American track—living in horse stables—who she knew people and his home state of Michigan. Rich- Wednesday, March 1, 2006 had done nothing wrong. People who had ard DeVos is truly deserving of our respect Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. been her neighbors had been rounded up sud- and admiration. Speaker, on February 19, 1942, President denly and taken away.

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